Robert Watt has served as Chief Herald of Canada since the Canadian Heraldic Authority was established in 1988.  He will be retiring at the end of June, which may not seem as newsworthy as the emotional meltdown of Paris Hilton in jail, or the G-8 Summit in Germany, so I was pleased to see the editorial in The Globe And Mail, Canada’s national newspaper today as follows “Hark, the herald

“The office of Chief Herald of Canada may not have the lineage of ancient heraldic offices such as the Lord Lyon of Scotland or England’s Garter King of Arms, but under Robert Watt, first and so far only holder of the title, it has earned authority and respect among the rarefied ranks of heraldists, and enlivened the symbolic landscape for the rest of us.  His job has been to negotiate the dormant (figure at rest), the rampant (figure rearing) and the sinister (viewer’s right).

“The origins of heraldry are traced to the Middle Ages and the paintings on shields carried by knights into battle or tournaments.  Since Jacques Cartier raised the Royal Arms of France, heraldry has played a role in Canada.  Our passports have the Royal Arms of Canada granted by King George V emblazoned on the front.  But heraldry became rampant here only after Mr. Watt was appointed Chief Herald in 1988, when Royal Letters Patent transferred to the Governor General the exercise of the Queen’s heraldic prerogative for Canada.

“Mr. Watt’s challenge was to adapt the medieval science to the realities of contemporary Canada, removing class and gender distinctions and acknowledging diversity.  He has done so with aplomb.  Combining the attributes of historian, diplomat and enthusiast, he has won Canadians over to heraldry, and as overseer of the Canadian Heraldic Authority has handled grants of thousands of coats or arms, badges and flags to, among others, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, B’nai Brith Canada, the Nisga’s Nation, Pierre Trudeau, Corel and West Central High School in Rocky Mountain House, Alta.  He was also instrumental in developing the new territorial arms and flag for Nunavut.

“Mr. Watt retires this month, though he seems far too vital to become dormant.  He leaves behind a substantial, in no way sinister, legacy, including a Canadian bestiary of native animals and fantastic creatures such as the cougar incensed, winged beaver, raven-bear, griffin-moose, michipijeu (an Algonquin water-spirit) and a demi polar bear grasping a sword.  His achievement underscores the wisdom of Goveror-General Michaelle Jean’s recent suggestion that there be a permanent home to showcase national honours, including heraldry.”

While the editorial has no byline, I suspect it was written by John Geiger, an ardent member of The Royal Heraldry Society of Canada and a senior member of the editorial staff at The Globe And Mail.